Paediatric infections: pertussis household contacts: practice question

A Pediatrics question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Pediatrics · Paediatric infections: pertussis household contacts

Sample item

A 5-week-old is admitted with confirmed pertussis. Which measure should be taken for his household contacts, including a 4-year-old sibling and the parents?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Azithromycin chemoprophylaxis, with vaccine catch-up

Household contacts are at high risk of infection, and macrolide prophylaxis (azithromycin) reduces secondary cases and protects the infant from a repeat exposure. Immunisation status of contacts should be reviewed and completed. Amoxicillin is not effective for eradication of pertussis.

Option by option

  • A. Isolation of the infant only

    Treating only the infant leaves contacts as a source of transmission.

  • B. Oral amoxicillin for all contacts

    Amoxicillin has little efficacy against Bordetella pertussis.

  • C. Pertussis immunoglobulin for contacts

    There is no pertussis immunoglobulin for routine post-exposure use.

  • D. Azithromycin chemoprophylaxis, with vaccine catch-up (correct)

    Correct. Macrolide prophylaxis for contacts plus updating vaccines is recommended.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is D, Azithromycin chemoprophylaxis, with vaccine catch-up. Household contacts are at high risk of infection, and macrolide prophylaxis (azithromycin) reduces secondary cases and protects the infant from a repeat exposure.

Why is "Isolation of the infant only" not the answer?

Treating only the infant leaves contacts as a source of transmission.

Why is "Oral amoxicillin for all contacts" not the answer?

Amoxicillin has little efficacy against Bordetella pertussis.

Why is "Pertussis immunoglobulin for contacts" not the answer?

There is no pertussis immunoglobulin for routine post-exposure use.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Paediatric infections: pertussis household contacts in Pediatrics. Immunisation status of contacts should be reviewed and completed. Amoxicillin is not effective for eradication of pertussis.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Paediatric infections: pertussis household contacts?

Memorise milestones and the vaccine schedule as tables and revise them often. Then use the flashcards and the other Pediatrics questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.